Even though it wasn't a vacation, Charleston sure felt like one. Although I was out of my normal eating and exercising routine (I didn't make it to the gym once), I still managed to eat alright and walk a LOT. I may have indulged in a margarita which, to my (not) surprise, was totally blowing my caloric intake one day. As Melissa said, "Each exercise and workout routine deserves some rewards." Ole!
I somehow managed to not gain any weight. Phew. So back at it tomorrow.
One thing I did learn is that when you're around people from your past life (meaning people that you primarily knew from when you were unhealthy), you start to get temptations to go back to that lifestyle. Being around my college crowd was difficult in that sense. Where I did slip up and make some unhealthy choices, I figured out why I did, which will help me not do so later on.
One thing I have to remember is that the college me (and the three years after graduation) is the exact person that put me in the position I'm in now... the position that I'm desperately trying to change... the position that I desperately NEED to change. I know these friends from my past won't dislike me if I don't indulge in what they do, so I need to take them up on that.
In a month, I go to Ocean City, MD for four days with the same crew. Next time, I'll do better.
In other news, I am beyond excited to get back into the gym with Melissa tomorrow. She'll kick my butt, and I'll love every second of it.
One thing I did accomplish: learning all the words to Nicky Minaj's "Super Bass."
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Progress
I love Charleston. I love that you can walk everywhere. I love that I enjoy walking.
A year ago, I would have driven everywhere. Now, I don't mind to walk places because it's not a struggle. I don't get out of breath or tired from a two-block trek. Progress.
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Weight of It All
I hate that Im on an iPad now because I won't be able to type as fast as my mind will be working. I'll try my best
I think I've replaced my addiction to food with an addiction to weigh myself. Being out of town the past two days has been a struggle because, against my better judgement, I decided against bringing my scale to SC with me. I've been bouncing between seven pounds for about a month now, and in light of that, I've started weighing myself everyday (sometimes up to four or five times a day). I'm so mentally ready to be in new numbers that I just pray every time I get on that scale, I've lost another two pounds.
I know weighing myself so much is detrimental to the head game that goes along with weight loss, but I'm admittedly addicted to the thing people hate the most. It's the weirdest thing. I feel like I have a serious eating disorder with my scale.
I was talking with a friend of mine tonight, expressing my utter disdain about how I don't feel like I look like I've lost any weight. I feel my face is puffy, and, despite my ever-(slowly)-shrinking wardrobe, I feel like nothing is working. She brought up a good point: that I'm so focused on the number on the scale that, even though I am physically giving all I can during my workouts, am I mentally giving it my all? Somewhere in the back of my mind, am I thinking that what I'm doing isnt really going to do anything?
I think she's right. And I think that I'm scared to be smaller. Most people can't wait to be thin, but the truth is, I have no idea who I am skinny. I've only known the funny, fat girl who loves to make people laugh and smile. If you remember, Melissa said that she wondered if I was still going to be funny when I'm not able to make fun of myself. I'd like to think I will be, but I have no idea. I have no idea how or who skinny Erica will be.
I'm usually some form of Positive Polly as much as possible, but for the first time, I'm not sure how to tackle this mental roadblock I've come across.
I think step one is asking my mother to hide the scale. I think I'll only weigh myself on payday, which is twice a week. I hope I can stick to that, because I've gotten serious anxiety not being able to weigh myself the past two days.
On a side note, I did a lot better with food today! A 6" Subway sub for lunch and a grilled chicken Cobb salad for dinner. I was even able to get about 2.5 miles of walking in tonight, including a 90 walking ghost tour of downtown Charleston. Tomorrow, Amber and I are hitting the gym before the tournament starts.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Greetings from North Carolina!
So we made it to Statesville, NC last night by about 12:30am (which is why I didn't post). It also may have taken us an extra hour because someone (cough cough) has been drinking so much water that a bathroom break every hour definitely happened.
Also, bear with me. I'm blogging from an iPad, so typing may be a little off.
One challenge I faced yesterday: road trip snacks and the temptations to grab something quick and unhealthy at the gas station because you're unsure of when you'll get to eat another real meal. I can't say I resisted completely, but I could have done worse. Being with my college friends kind of brings back old habits, so I need to realize who I am now and stick to it. Good thing is that I have 4 days to figure it out!
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Edit: Ration water for the rest of the drive to South Carolina.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Recipe!
So I went to the doctor today, and he said no exercise because of whatever is wrong with me. (I do know it's getting better, though, so that's a plus.) So instead of working out today, I came home and made these:
Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
Ingredients:
37.5oz Hormel 97% fat free chicken breast in water (you can use fresh instead of chicken in a can)
1 package Neufchatel cheese
Nasoya Egg Roll Wrappers (20 to a package)
Broccoli slaw
Hot sauce of your choosing
Directions:
Heat chicken and cheese in large pan until cheese is melted. Add hot sauce to taste.
Lay out egg roll wraps on clean surface (watch out because they stick together). Make a small bed of broccoli straw in the corner of a wrapper and add chicken mix on top.
How to fold:
Make the wrapper a diamond with the bottom point facing you. Ingredients should be placed horizontally about 1/4 the way up from the bottom corner. Fold bottom corner up. Bring outer corners (3 o'clock and 9'clock) in like you're folding a paper airplane. Make sure to fold any openings in like you're wrapping a present. Roll until only the upper corner is showing. Wet finger and moisten the corner, folding it and "pasting" it down.
Baking:
Place on greased, elevated rack. (I used canola oil spray and a cookie cooling rack.) Lightly spray the rolls with the canola spray and bake in an oven at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes. Edges should be golden brown.
Yields 20, Serving Size- 1 roll
I originally found this recipe on the Can You Stay for Dinner? blog, but they had blue cheese in them (yuck). I sat down and calculated every single nutritional value of one egg roll. Here it is:
126 calories
4g fat
2.4g saturated fat
0g trans fat
38g cholesterol
400mg sodium
13g carbs
<1g fiber
1g sugar
11g protein
This was actually super fun for me because (here's a little known fact) I love doing math for fun...
So obviously, if you're watching your sodium, don't eat too many (or any) of these. I didn't realize the sodium was going to be so high on these, so I definitely went over today. I've been under every other day though, so that's an improvement!
Working out will be a challenge the rest of the week, as I'm traveling to South Carolina tomorrow evening after work. There is a fitness center at the hotel and nearby, so I know the resources are there. It's just a matter of finding the time, as I'll be judging a speech tournament. I have a workout buddy there, so that'll be better!
Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
Ingredients:
37.5oz Hormel 97% fat free chicken breast in water (you can use fresh instead of chicken in a can)
1 package Neufchatel cheese
Nasoya Egg Roll Wrappers (20 to a package)
Broccoli slaw
Hot sauce of your choosing
Directions:
Heat chicken and cheese in large pan until cheese is melted. Add hot sauce to taste.
Lay out egg roll wraps on clean surface (watch out because they stick together). Make a small bed of broccoli straw in the corner of a wrapper and add chicken mix on top.
How to fold:
Make the wrapper a diamond with the bottom point facing you. Ingredients should be placed horizontally about 1/4 the way up from the bottom corner. Fold bottom corner up. Bring outer corners (3 o'clock and 9'clock) in like you're folding a paper airplane. Make sure to fold any openings in like you're wrapping a present. Roll until only the upper corner is showing. Wet finger and moisten the corner, folding it and "pasting" it down.
Baking:
Place on greased, elevated rack. (I used canola oil spray and a cookie cooling rack.) Lightly spray the rolls with the canola spray and bake in an oven at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes. Edges should be golden brown.
Yields 20, Serving Size- 1 roll
I originally found this recipe on the Can You Stay for Dinner? blog, but they had blue cheese in them (yuck). I sat down and calculated every single nutritional value of one egg roll. Here it is:
126 calories
4g fat
2.4g saturated fat
0g trans fat
38g cholesterol
400mg sodium
13g carbs
<1g fiber
1g sugar
11g protein
This was actually super fun for me because (here's a little known fact) I love doing math for fun...
So obviously, if you're watching your sodium, don't eat too many (or any) of these. I didn't realize the sodium was going to be so high on these, so I definitely went over today. I've been under every other day though, so that's an improvement!
Working out will be a challenge the rest of the week, as I'm traveling to South Carolina tomorrow evening after work. There is a fitness center at the hotel and nearby, so I know the resources are there. It's just a matter of finding the time, as I'll be judging a speech tournament. I have a workout buddy there, so that'll be better!
Fat v. Muscle
If you're like me and have a difficult time grasping medical terms or fitness explanations, HERE is a really, really good article about muscle v. fat written in easy-to-understand terms.
Don't pay attention to the email part at the bottom, that is, unless you want to be emailed every 30 days. Just read the article. So when you're depressed that you haven't lost any weight while toning, start thinking how great it is that you're turning 5 lbs of fat into 10 lbs of fat-burning muscle.
Don't pay attention to the email part at the bottom, that is, unless you want to be emailed every 30 days. Just read the article. So when you're depressed that you haven't lost any weight while toning, start thinking how great it is that you're turning 5 lbs of fat into 10 lbs of fat-burning muscle.
6 Months Ago/Today
- Starbucks Scone and Venti Soy Chai for breakfast (810 calories... more than 1/3 my daily allotment) / Yogurt, Organic Granola, and a granda skinny vanilla latte (430 calories and nutrient-rich)
- Couldn't last 30 seconds on an elliptical / Can last almost an hour on an elliptical
- Couldn't do 10 jumping jacks / Can do 200 jumping jacks
- Hated sweating / loves sweating (sweat is fat crying)
- Always ordered an appetizer when dining out / Not only realizes the appetizer is (sometimes) the proper portion for a meal, but also that it's the deadliest trick on the menu
- Never looked at the nutrition label when purchasing food / The nutrition label is the absolute FIRST thing I look at (can I pronounce all the ingredients?)
- Thought "grilled" on a restaurant menu was synonymous with "healthy" / Realizes "grilled" usually means "first dipped in butter," so I always ask how something is cooked before ordering
- Hated tomatoes / Loves tomatoes (about 90% loves, anyway)
- High anxiety in restaurants / no anxiety in restaurants
- Was uncertain of the existance of collarbones in the body / FOUND 'EM!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Breakfast To Go
I thought I'd share the Steel Cut Oats Breakfast with you, in case you're looking for a healthy, whole grain, low sodium, QUICK breakfast option (other than a protein bar).
1 2/3 cups steel-cut oats
4 cups water
Large pinch salt
Mix-Ins:
Milk or soy milk
Cinnamon or other spices
Raisins or other dried fruit
Walnuts or other nuts
Jam
Honey
Equipment
5 pint-sized Mason jars with lids (I used wide-mouth jars)
Large saucepan
Ladle
2. Bring the oats, water and salt to a boil. Simmer for about 3 minutes then turn off the heat.
3. Ladle the oats and water into the jars. Cover the jars tightly with their caps and rings. Leave on the counter overnight. (This is how I make my oatmeal and I have had absolutely no problems with it, healthwise, but if for some reason you are not comfortable leaving hot oatmeal out overnight, you can also refrigerate the jars. The oatmeal won't be quite as well cooked in the morning; it will be a thinner, less creamy oatmeal. But it will still be fine.)
4. The next morning, put all but one of the jars in the refrigerator. Take the cap off one jar and stir up the oatmeal inside. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, or until quite hot. Add any milk, raisins, or other mix-ins. Enjoy!
Additional Notes:
• You can also add your raisins, cinnamon, or other mix-ins to the rest of the jars before putting them away in the refrigerator. Then all you have to do is grab one and go on your way out the door.
****Note: I thought you could do this process in something other than mason jars with the rings/lids, but you can't. My mother, the scientist, told me that the reason this particular recipe works the way it works is because the heat from the boiling water actually seals the lids overnight, keeping it bacteria-free. She's so smart. So I won't be doing this until I find some canning jars.
Make a Week of Steel-Cut Oats in 5 Minutes
Ingredients1 2/3 cups steel-cut oats
4 cups water
Large pinch salt
Mix-Ins:
Milk or soy milk
Cinnamon or other spices
Raisins or other dried fruit
Walnuts or other nuts
Jam
Honey
Equipment
5 pint-sized Mason jars with lids (I used wide-mouth jars)
Large saucepan
Ladle
Instructions
1. Collect your jars and other equipment. I like pint-sized jars for this as they allow a little more room for adding nuts, raisins, and milk later. But you can also use half-pint jars.2. Bring the oats, water and salt to a boil. Simmer for about 3 minutes then turn off the heat.
3. Ladle the oats and water into the jars. Cover the jars tightly with their caps and rings. Leave on the counter overnight. (This is how I make my oatmeal and I have had absolutely no problems with it, healthwise, but if for some reason you are not comfortable leaving hot oatmeal out overnight, you can also refrigerate the jars. The oatmeal won't be quite as well cooked in the morning; it will be a thinner, less creamy oatmeal. But it will still be fine.)
4. The next morning, put all but one of the jars in the refrigerator. Take the cap off one jar and stir up the oatmeal inside. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, or until quite hot. Add any milk, raisins, or other mix-ins. Enjoy!
Additional Notes:
• You can also add your raisins, cinnamon, or other mix-ins to the rest of the jars before putting them away in the refrigerator. Then all you have to do is grab one and go on your way out the door.
****Note: I thought you could do this process in something other than mason jars with the rings/lids, but you can't. My mother, the scientist, told me that the reason this particular recipe works the way it works is because the heat from the boiling water actually seals the lids overnight, keeping it bacteria-free. She's so smart. So I won't be doing this until I find some canning jars.
Playing Catch Up
I know. I went and broke another resolution. I haven't updated since Thursday. In my defense, I've had a pretty big weekend.
Friday- I was supposed to have class, but it was canceled because of snow. I contracted some sort of plague situation from a co-worker. ;)
Saturday- I was supposed to have class, but it, again, was canceled because of snow. I bought a car instead.
Today- Today was supposed to be the day I did nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was going to be epic because I've been pretty sick all weekend. Cold/sinus infection/fever/newly-formed semi-laryngitis. But my plans to relax never seem to work out. I had to purchase some clothing items because certain... important... garments of clothing were getting too big for comfort (I'm not complaining). That turned into lunch with a friend's family, then slight grocery shopping, running, then making dinner for my family (BBQ chicken, edamame, and smashed roasted potatoes).
I'm really, really tired.
Honestly, part of me would love to just sleep all day tomorrow in hopes of feeling better, but I can't... and I won't. I just have to keep moving. There are a lot of important things to do at work. Plus, I'll be in Charleston, SC Thursday-Sunday anyway.
So bottom line: I worked out 5 days instead of 6 days this week, and I blogged 5 days instead of 7 days this week. I told you I'd fail a lot.
Moving on.
My running tonight wasn't the greatest, but it wasn't bad. I blame it on the fact that I can't breathe when I'm sedentary, let alone pushing this huge body through the air at a high(er than normal) speed. It was Week 3 Day 2 of Couch to 5k. Alternating 2min walking, 2min jogging, 2min of walking, and 3min of jogging x2. The first 3min jog was weird... I jogged the first two minutes, but couldn't catch my breath. So I walked for 30 seconds, and then finished the last 30 seconds jogging. The rest of it was fine. Anyone have any thoughts?!
I've been doing well on the sodium front. I haven't gone over more than 100mg (if I go over at all) each day (loads better than the 1,000-2,000mg overage I was having). Melissa suggested drinking Perrier carbonated water to help regulate the sodium in my body. I don't really understand how it work, but I just do what she says. For example:
She told me to get steel cut oats for my breakfast in the morning. I could make all week's worth on Sunday, store them in mason jars (or any container), and take them to work to heat up. I could add any kind of fruit I wanted to.
So I bought steel cut oats today.
She's also been keen on something called flaxseed, so I bought some natural peanut butter (low sodium!!) with flaxseed in it. Target has some awesome organic stuff and a way lower price than like, Kroger.
Basically, I just do what Melissa tells me to do. Most of the time. I really try, though.
So because I'm out of town the end of the week, I'm training with Melissa tomorrow and Tuesday, and I'm ending the run with PiYo on Wednesday night before I leave Thursday morning. I'm excited to see what kinds of things we'll be doing this week. Part of me wants to try some interval training with some sprints and weight combos. I don't know if that would do much other than get my heart rate up, but I think it would be fun (yes, fun).
Exercise has become kind of addictive. I hated that I couldn't be in the gym Friday and Saturday because of this illness/cold/whatever. I couldn't breathe, and I didn't want to infect anyone. I was antsy to workout today. It just gets in your blood. So for anyone who is just starting the working out process, give it 4 weeks. In four weeks, it becomes routine. You'll thank me later. In fact, just in case you forget to tell me, you're welcome.
In return, if anyone has any suggestions on how to increase endurance while running, please tell me. I'm better at regulating my breathing. Now, I just need to figure out how to make my legs feel less like concrete and more like feathers.
Update: I am down 2 whole bra sizes and 1 one jacket size.
Total sizes lost since July:
Pants- 2
Shirts- 1
Jackets- 2
Underwear- 1
Bra- 2
Shoe- 1 (yes, your feet shrink)
Rings- 1
I'm getting my new, smaller yoga pants in the mail this week. Color me excited.
Friday- I was supposed to have class, but it was canceled because of snow. I contracted some sort of plague situation from a co-worker. ;)
Saturday- I was supposed to have class, but it, again, was canceled because of snow. I bought a car instead.
Today- Today was supposed to be the day I did nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was going to be epic because I've been pretty sick all weekend. Cold/sinus infection/fever/newly-formed semi-laryngitis. But my plans to relax never seem to work out. I had to purchase some clothing items because certain... important... garments of clothing were getting too big for comfort (I'm not complaining). That turned into lunch with a friend's family, then slight grocery shopping, running, then making dinner for my family (BBQ chicken, edamame, and smashed roasted potatoes).
I'm really, really tired.
Honestly, part of me would love to just sleep all day tomorrow in hopes of feeling better, but I can't... and I won't. I just have to keep moving. There are a lot of important things to do at work. Plus, I'll be in Charleston, SC Thursday-Sunday anyway.
So bottom line: I worked out 5 days instead of 6 days this week, and I blogged 5 days instead of 7 days this week. I told you I'd fail a lot.
Moving on.
My running tonight wasn't the greatest, but it wasn't bad. I blame it on the fact that I can't breathe when I'm sedentary, let alone pushing this huge body through the air at a high(er than normal) speed. It was Week 3 Day 2 of Couch to 5k. Alternating 2min walking, 2min jogging, 2min of walking, and 3min of jogging x2. The first 3min jog was weird... I jogged the first two minutes, but couldn't catch my breath. So I walked for 30 seconds, and then finished the last 30 seconds jogging. The rest of it was fine. Anyone have any thoughts?!
I've been doing well on the sodium front. I haven't gone over more than 100mg (if I go over at all) each day (loads better than the 1,000-2,000mg overage I was having). Melissa suggested drinking Perrier carbonated water to help regulate the sodium in my body. I don't really understand how it work, but I just do what she says. For example:
She told me to get steel cut oats for my breakfast in the morning. I could make all week's worth on Sunday, store them in mason jars (or any container), and take them to work to heat up. I could add any kind of fruit I wanted to.
So I bought steel cut oats today.
She's also been keen on something called flaxseed, so I bought some natural peanut butter (low sodium!!) with flaxseed in it. Target has some awesome organic stuff and a way lower price than like, Kroger.
Basically, I just do what Melissa tells me to do. Most of the time. I really try, though.
So because I'm out of town the end of the week, I'm training with Melissa tomorrow and Tuesday, and I'm ending the run with PiYo on Wednesday night before I leave Thursday morning. I'm excited to see what kinds of things we'll be doing this week. Part of me wants to try some interval training with some sprints and weight combos. I don't know if that would do much other than get my heart rate up, but I think it would be fun (yes, fun).
Exercise has become kind of addictive. I hated that I couldn't be in the gym Friday and Saturday because of this illness/cold/whatever. I couldn't breathe, and I didn't want to infect anyone. I was antsy to workout today. It just gets in your blood. So for anyone who is just starting the working out process, give it 4 weeks. In four weeks, it becomes routine. You'll thank me later. In fact, just in case you forget to tell me, you're welcome.
In return, if anyone has any suggestions on how to increase endurance while running, please tell me. I'm better at regulating my breathing. Now, I just need to figure out how to make my legs feel less like concrete and more like feathers.
Update: I am down 2 whole bra sizes and 1 one jacket size.
Total sizes lost since July:
Pants- 2
Shirts- 1
Jackets- 2
Underwear- 1
Bra- 2
Shoe- 1 (yes, your feet shrink)
Rings- 1
I'm getting my new, smaller yoga pants in the mail this week. Color me excited.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
8.7 from the American Judge
I won't type much tonight, as I just finished my presentation for class, my hand is swollen (good story enclosed), and I have a fever. I'm kind of tired, so I think sleep should be in my near future. Just a few highlights from today's workout...
If you remember in my post Magnificant MILEstones, I recounted a workout that took me exactly one hour to do for one time through. The couple before me took one hour to do two times through. This discouraged me because I was slower, and it was taking it twice as long to finish a workout. Until tonight. Tonight I entered what Melissa called "Two-Cycle Territory."
I almost cried.
Tonight's workout was a strength/cardio combo training session. For example, we would do a set of 20 strength-building exercises (20 lunges, 20 leg lift/chest press combo, 20 sumo squats) alternating with a set of 20 cardio-intensive exercises (mountain climbers, jumping jacks, high knees). The desired outcome is that we are building muscle at the same time we are burning fat. Remember, muscle is important because it helps us burn fat while we are doing NOTHING (which I like to do).
My motto tonight was (take notice that I sometimes adopt mottoes during my workouts to keep myself motivated), "Move, move, move." See, I almost cancelled this session because of this presentation and my not feeling well (Melissa said she would have persuaded me to come anyway... challenge accepted), so I just had to keep telling myself to move, no matter what.
I actually went from each set fairly quickly, cutting off enough time to apparently land in Two-Cycle Territory, which I'm not complaining about. After finishing the hour off with planks, abs, and sun salutations, I had sweat pouring off me.
Oh wait. I forgot the best part.
During cycle 2 of high knees (you alternate bringing each knee into the air by jumping; sometimes requires a wind up), my right foot came down on the weight I was using (I guess I kept creeping forward). My foot rolled with the weight, and I landed on my butt. Not my most prized moment, considering the back of the room was full of football camp trainees, but I apparently landed pretty gracefully... not without trying to catch myself with my right hand and stoving it... bruising it... something. I just know it's swollen, and it hurts. I wish I could say that nothing was hurt but my pride, but...
Workout goal for the remainder of the week: Friday is a rest day because of class (and because my body really, really needs it... hence why I'm sick). Saturday is Week 3 Day 2 of Couch 2 5k, and Sunday is Week 3 Day 3.
Food goal for the remainder of my life: Keep a close eye on my sodium. MyFitnessPal keeps track of it, and I'm always over by close to or exceeding 1,000mg. Maybe this is why I'm always puffy. Also, because of this, I will increase my water intake by 2.
If you remember in my post Magnificant MILEstones, I recounted a workout that took me exactly one hour to do for one time through. The couple before me took one hour to do two times through. This discouraged me because I was slower, and it was taking it twice as long to finish a workout. Until tonight. Tonight I entered what Melissa called "Two-Cycle Territory."
I almost cried.
Tonight's workout was a strength/cardio combo training session. For example, we would do a set of 20 strength-building exercises (20 lunges, 20 leg lift/chest press combo, 20 sumo squats) alternating with a set of 20 cardio-intensive exercises (mountain climbers, jumping jacks, high knees). The desired outcome is that we are building muscle at the same time we are burning fat. Remember, muscle is important because it helps us burn fat while we are doing NOTHING (which I like to do).
My motto tonight was (take notice that I sometimes adopt mottoes during my workouts to keep myself motivated), "Move, move, move." See, I almost cancelled this session because of this presentation and my not feeling well (Melissa said she would have persuaded me to come anyway... challenge accepted), so I just had to keep telling myself to move, no matter what.
I actually went from each set fairly quickly, cutting off enough time to apparently land in Two-Cycle Territory, which I'm not complaining about. After finishing the hour off with planks, abs, and sun salutations, I had sweat pouring off me.
Oh wait. I forgot the best part.
During cycle 2 of high knees (you alternate bringing each knee into the air by jumping; sometimes requires a wind up), my right foot came down on the weight I was using (I guess I kept creeping forward). My foot rolled with the weight, and I landed on my butt. Not my most prized moment, considering the back of the room was full of football camp trainees, but I apparently landed pretty gracefully... not without trying to catch myself with my right hand and stoving it... bruising it... something. I just know it's swollen, and it hurts. I wish I could say that nothing was hurt but my pride, but...
Workout goal for the remainder of the week: Friday is a rest day because of class (and because my body really, really needs it... hence why I'm sick). Saturday is Week 3 Day 2 of Couch 2 5k, and Sunday is Week 3 Day 3.
Food goal for the remainder of my life: Keep a close eye on my sodium. MyFitnessPal keeps track of it, and I'm always over by close to or exceeding 1,000mg. Maybe this is why I'm always puffy. Also, because of this, I will increase my water intake by 2.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
One Decision, One Step
We had a staff luncheon today. Italian food. Bread. Pasta. My weakness.
I filled half my plate with salad, and had half a cup of pasta with a tiny bit of sauce. I even held off on dessert.
I don't like cheesecake, so that made it easy.
I realized how anal I've become. When someone came around and asked if I wanted cheese on my pasta or salad, I asked what kind of cheese it was. He had no idea, so I passed. (I only eat mozzarella, swiss, or provolone.) Another co-worker said he was proud of me because he would have never thought to ask about the cheese. It made me feel good.
One step, one decision at a time. Step one foot in front of the other. Decide if what you're about to do is worth it. Remember: It takes 7,00 jumping jacks to burn one pound of fat, but it only takes 3,500 calories to gain it back. What's more important?
(Sorry I'm not posting more tonight. The schedule I've been keeping as really, really been wearing me down, and I have a presentation to do for class on Saturday.)
I filled half my plate with salad, and had half a cup of pasta with a tiny bit of sauce. I even held off on dessert.
I don't like cheesecake, so that made it easy.
I realized how anal I've become. When someone came around and asked if I wanted cheese on my pasta or salad, I asked what kind of cheese it was. He had no idea, so I passed. (I only eat mozzarella, swiss, or provolone.) Another co-worker said he was proud of me because he would have never thought to ask about the cheese. It made me feel good.
One step, one decision at a time. Step one foot in front of the other. Decide if what you're about to do is worth it. Remember: It takes 7,00 jumping jacks to burn one pound of fat, but it only takes 3,500 calories to gain it back. What's more important?
(Sorry I'm not posting more tonight. The schedule I've been keeping as really, really been wearing me down, and I have a presentation to do for class on Saturday.)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
a FEET of Strength
(I know I spelled that wrong.)
Tonight's workout was challenging in a few ways. We kind of kicked it old-school and went back to basics: lunges, bicep curls, renegade ro's (I'm not sure how you spell that), etc. We also did something that was new for me, and I don't know what they're called. For all intent and purpose, I'll call them The Box of Death Switchfoot Jumps.
To appreciate these exercises, I have to explain something to you. I have a very, very real fear of falling. Falling down, falling and breaking something, falling and not being able to get back up, whatever. This is very real. So when the boxes come out, I get nervous. This is (not exactly) what they look like:
(I don't look that good in shorts and a tank.) So there are actually three heights of boxes. If I had to guess, there are a 1ft, 2ft, and 3ft tall boxes. These Switchfoot Jumps are very similar to what this cool animated hottie is doing, only instead of just bringing the knee up and back down, we kind of jumped and switched feet in the air, bringing the opposite foot back down. We did these on the smallest (1 foot) box.
I associate this Box of Death with Box Jumps of Death, which I've been too afraid to try. Knowing me, I wouldn't jump high enough, catch my ankle, fall, break my shin, bust my knee, crack my teeth, and break my nose. (I'm super positive.) So when this exercise came up, I choked. I literally stood in front of this box (after watching the two other girls that train with me do them) and cried. I couldn't bring myself to even step on the thing.
I'm so thankful to have people in my life who will encourage me and help me prove myself wrong in situations like this. Between Rhea, Kat, and Melissa, who all pumped me full of positive energy and strength, I did them. I didn't do them well, and I could hardly see the box through the tears, but I finished them.
I found out my feat... or FEET... of strength tonight, and I realized it extends far beyond what I can do on a 12-inch step. We are at the gym everyday, busting our butts, to find our outer strength... the strength people physically see. But what about our inner strength? That's the strength that really counts. That's the strength that gets us through hard workouts, trying days, nights without sleep, one more rep, one more minute, or one more mile.
Health and losing weight is 80% nutrition (what we put IN OUR BODIES) and 20% working out (what we see on the OUTSIDE). Think about that. Our heart, mind, and spirit is what drives our strength and gives us the emotion, the rage, and the pure adrenaline to push through just one more. What will you do to build your inner strength?
Edit: That guy is super distracting. I'm sorry. If you have any good name suggestions, let's hear 'em.
Tonight's workout was challenging in a few ways. We kind of kicked it old-school and went back to basics: lunges, bicep curls, renegade ro's (I'm not sure how you spell that), etc. We also did something that was new for me, and I don't know what they're called. For all intent and purpose, I'll call them The Box of Death Switchfoot Jumps.
To appreciate these exercises, I have to explain something to you. I have a very, very real fear of falling. Falling down, falling and breaking something, falling and not being able to get back up, whatever. This is very real. So when the boxes come out, I get nervous. This is (not exactly) what they look like:
(I don't look that good in shorts and a tank.) So there are actually three heights of boxes. If I had to guess, there are a 1ft, 2ft, and 3ft tall boxes. These Switchfoot Jumps are very similar to what this cool animated hottie is doing, only instead of just bringing the knee up and back down, we kind of jumped and switched feet in the air, bringing the opposite foot back down. We did these on the smallest (1 foot) box.
I associate this Box of Death with Box Jumps of Death, which I've been too afraid to try. Knowing me, I wouldn't jump high enough, catch my ankle, fall, break my shin, bust my knee, crack my teeth, and break my nose. (I'm super positive.) So when this exercise came up, I choked. I literally stood in front of this box (after watching the two other girls that train with me do them) and cried. I couldn't bring myself to even step on the thing.
I'm so thankful to have people in my life who will encourage me and help me prove myself wrong in situations like this. Between Rhea, Kat, and Melissa, who all pumped me full of positive energy and strength, I did them. I didn't do them well, and I could hardly see the box through the tears, but I finished them.
I found out my feat... or FEET... of strength tonight, and I realized it extends far beyond what I can do on a 12-inch step. We are at the gym everyday, busting our butts, to find our outer strength... the strength people physically see. But what about our inner strength? That's the strength that really counts. That's the strength that gets us through hard workouts, trying days, nights without sleep, one more rep, one more minute, or one more mile.
Health and losing weight is 80% nutrition (what we put IN OUR BODIES) and 20% working out (what we see on the OUTSIDE). Think about that. Our heart, mind, and spirit is what drives our strength and gives us the emotion, the rage, and the pure adrenaline to push through just one more. What will you do to build your inner strength?
Edit: That guy is super distracting. I'm sorry. If you have any good name suggestions, let's hear 'em.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Reset.
So today, I started running... again. I had my reset weekend, and it's over. Now, back to work. I had to start the Couch 2 5k program again (if you recall, I stopped after Week 4 last time). I knew I didn't need to start back at Week 1, so I started at Week 3, which turned out to be alright.
Week 3 consists of a 5 min warm-up walk, and then a 2-min jog, 2-min walk, 3-min jog, 2-min walk pattern you repeat twice, then a 5 min cool-down walk... total of 30 min. My breathing is getting way better, as I'm able to breathe deeper and go longer without thinking my eyeballs are going to pop out of my head.
I did my warm-up and cool-down walks at 3.0, my jogs at 4.3 (I'm still not sure as to my stride, so I hope to lengthen them and up the speed soon), and my in-between walks at 3.2. I was taking it a little easy tonight because I have some sort of inflamed hamstring situation in my right leg. No good. I've been icing it for the last hour and a half.
My goals for this week: Tuesday- Melissa workout, Wednesday- PiYo, Thursday- Melissa workout, Friday- Off because of class, Saturday- Week 3 Day 2 of C25k, Sunday- Week 3 Day 3 of C25k.
On another note, today was a really good day. I really enjoy my work atmosphere and the people that comprise it. Everyday, my boss asks me something new about my workouts or eating habits, and he's expressed many times that he feels compelled to eat better or change things in his own life because of the results I'm seeing in mine. Another coworker has said that I am "97% the reason she's sticking with her healthy eating." (I'm not sure where I went wrong with the other 3%.) That's really encouraging, and it's motivation for me to keep going.
The Catch-22 of the complete and utter honesty of this blog is that people will call you out when you're slacking, like I was this weekend. I'm not sure how many of you readers I know in real life, but if I disappointed anyone, I'm sorry. Just thought I should throw that disclaimer out there.
The truth is, the more you get to know me throughout this journey, you'll start to learn that I mess up... a lot. That's part of my charm, really. But I'm never afraid to admit when I mess up, because if you can't be honest with yourself, who can you be honest with? It's like that "age-old," "famous" saying... "Your body knows the truth even if your food journal doesn't." I'm not sure if that's really a famous saying, but it should be.
I'm kind of stumbling through this adventure, half blind and picking up pieces and clues as I go. I'm still learning how to eat correctly (creating calorie deficit) and exercise correctly (I never think my butt is up when it is) and ask for advice when necessary (doesn't Google know everything?). I'll share what I've learned, but you're learning with me, which is kind of cool.
Current frustration: I keep bouncing around 5 lbs in either direction. If anyone knows how to get off the plateau, please let me know. I have another 50 lbs to lose in the next 6 and a half months, and I'd like to start as soon as possible.
Edit: Thank you to the 9 people in Russia who are viewing my blog.
Week 3 consists of a 5 min warm-up walk, and then a 2-min jog, 2-min walk, 3-min jog, 2-min walk pattern you repeat twice, then a 5 min cool-down walk... total of 30 min. My breathing is getting way better, as I'm able to breathe deeper and go longer without thinking my eyeballs are going to pop out of my head.
I did my warm-up and cool-down walks at 3.0, my jogs at 4.3 (I'm still not sure as to my stride, so I hope to lengthen them and up the speed soon), and my in-between walks at 3.2. I was taking it a little easy tonight because I have some sort of inflamed hamstring situation in my right leg. No good. I've been icing it for the last hour and a half.
My goals for this week: Tuesday- Melissa workout, Wednesday- PiYo, Thursday- Melissa workout, Friday- Off because of class, Saturday- Week 3 Day 2 of C25k, Sunday- Week 3 Day 3 of C25k.
On another note, today was a really good day. I really enjoy my work atmosphere and the people that comprise it. Everyday, my boss asks me something new about my workouts or eating habits, and he's expressed many times that he feels compelled to eat better or change things in his own life because of the results I'm seeing in mine. Another coworker has said that I am "97% the reason she's sticking with her healthy eating." (I'm not sure where I went wrong with the other 3%.) That's really encouraging, and it's motivation for me to keep going.
The Catch-22 of the complete and utter honesty of this blog is that people will call you out when you're slacking, like I was this weekend. I'm not sure how many of you readers I know in real life, but if I disappointed anyone, I'm sorry. Just thought I should throw that disclaimer out there.
The truth is, the more you get to know me throughout this journey, you'll start to learn that I mess up... a lot. That's part of my charm, really. But I'm never afraid to admit when I mess up, because if you can't be honest with yourself, who can you be honest with? It's like that "age-old," "famous" saying... "Your body knows the truth even if your food journal doesn't." I'm not sure if that's really a famous saying, but it should be.
I'm kind of stumbling through this adventure, half blind and picking up pieces and clues as I go. I'm still learning how to eat correctly (creating calorie deficit) and exercise correctly (I never think my butt is up when it is) and ask for advice when necessary (doesn't Google know everything?). I'll share what I've learned, but you're learning with me, which is kind of cool.
Current frustration: I keep bouncing around 5 lbs in either direction. If anyone knows how to get off the plateau, please let me know. I have another 50 lbs to lose in the next 6 and a half months, and I'd like to start as soon as possible.
Edit: Thank you to the 9 people in Russia who are viewing my blog.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
No, Jack Squat is Not the Name of an Exercise
The more you get to know me, you'll start to learn some interesting facts about my life. For instance: 1) I love strawberries, 2) As little as I do it, I love to clean, and 3) Sometimes I go into hiding. This weekend was the latter.
I didn't workout at all this weekend. Not one bit. And I didn't eat all that great, either, but that was really only part of the day on Saturday. I just kind of felt like my life was in disarray, and I needed to get it together to be functional in other areas of being.
Things I Did This Weekend:
Slept In
Went to a Birthday Party
Ate Paula Dean's Banana Pudding Cake
Cleaned my Bedroom
Cooked... a lot
Grocery Shopped
Homework
Laundry
Cleaned my Car
Edited Pictures
Watched Two Movies
So, it's obvious the only resolution I really kept this week was to update my blog everyday. That's okay though, because I really think that sometimes, we need some time to decompress. I didn't really fall off my new healthier lifestyle of eating better (minus the banana pudding cake... man, that was good) or working out (I still worked out over half the week). The main thing is that I haven't lost focus. I don't see this weekend as a break from healthy. It was a break from life, which I thoroughly enjoyed and needed. (Actually, my goal was to go into hiding around 7pm last night and not resurface until Monday morning at work, but that didn't happen because I had to grocery shop.) And this break from life was what I needed to recharge and get back at it tomorrow with some running.
I think the point to really remember (I'm really just telling myself this) is how good you feel after you work out, eat right, get up early, drink lots of water, and inspire others. That's what it's all about.
Monday brings a whole new Erica, in more ways than one.
Edit: I have realized that when I don't exercise every day, I get weird, unexplainable pains in my body. Currently, my lower back is hurting. Weird.
Edit 2: I found beautiful, fresh strawberries at Kroger today. Om nom nom nom.
I didn't workout at all this weekend. Not one bit. And I didn't eat all that great, either, but that was really only part of the day on Saturday. I just kind of felt like my life was in disarray, and I needed to get it together to be functional in other areas of being.
Things I Did This Weekend:
Slept In
Went to a Birthday Party
Ate Paula Dean's Banana Pudding Cake
Cleaned my Bedroom
Cooked... a lot
Grocery Shopped
Homework
Laundry
Cleaned my Car
Edited Pictures
Watched Two Movies
So, it's obvious the only resolution I really kept this week was to update my blog everyday. That's okay though, because I really think that sometimes, we need some time to decompress. I didn't really fall off my new healthier lifestyle of eating better (minus the banana pudding cake... man, that was good) or working out (I still worked out over half the week). The main thing is that I haven't lost focus. I don't see this weekend as a break from healthy. It was a break from life, which I thoroughly enjoyed and needed. (Actually, my goal was to go into hiding around 7pm last night and not resurface until Monday morning at work, but that didn't happen because I had to grocery shop.) And this break from life was what I needed to recharge and get back at it tomorrow with some running.
I think the point to really remember (I'm really just telling myself this) is how good you feel after you work out, eat right, get up early, drink lots of water, and inspire others. That's what it's all about.
Monday brings a whole new Erica, in more ways than one.
Edit: I have realized that when I don't exercise every day, I get weird, unexplainable pains in my body. Currently, my lower back is hurting. Weird.
Edit 2: I found beautiful, fresh strawberries at Kroger today. Om nom nom nom.
Grocery List
Asparagus
Bananas
Lettuce
Onions
Tomatoes
Cauliflour
Zuchinni
Cucumber
Scallions
Gold Potatoes
Italian Seasoning
EVOO
NY Strip for the father unit
Pork Roast
Natural Applesauce Cups
Pita Chips
Italian Bread
Buffalo Mozzerella
Deli Mozzerella
It feels good to know over half your shopping list is in the produce section.
Edit: Congratulations to my 600th reader, whoever you are! Thanks for all the love.
Bananas
Lettuce
Onions
Tomatoes
Cauliflour
Zuchinni
Cucumber
Scallions
Gold Potatoes
Italian Seasoning
EVOO
NY Strip for the father unit
Pork Roast
Natural Applesauce Cups
Pita Chips
Italian Bread
Buffalo Mozzerella
Deli Mozzerella
It feels good to know over half your shopping list is in the produce section.
Edit: Congratulations to my 600th reader, whoever you are! Thanks for all the love.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Just a Thought
Kung Fu Panda is a great movie about fulfilling a destiny...
Basically, the panda is the warrior everyone has been waiting for, but he's overweight, undertrained, and nothing like who they thought the Chosen One would be. Do we view ourselves (or others) as a product of our present or fulfiller of our future?
Just something to chew on.
Basically, the panda is the warrior everyone has been waiting for, but he's overweight, undertrained, and nothing like who they thought the Chosen One would be. Do we view ourselves (or others) as a product of our present or fulfiller of our future?
Just something to chew on.
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Misconception of Fatitude
(For the sake of saving my own rear end, I'll try to code this blog to where you can understand what I'm talking about without me actually having to say the names of particular goods-distributing businesses.)
I hope the girl in the sports bra aisle of "Rollback Heaven" is reading this. I hope her dad is, too.
I'd like to shed a little light on the misconception others have of overweight people. Not all fat people are lazy. Some of us actually like to workout.
So tell me, why is it that it's so hard to find workout clothes in plus sizes?
All I wanted was a sports bra. That's it. Something used to make others' viewings of heavier people working out tolerable. Lock 'em. Load 'em. You're welcome. I had to go to THREE different places tonight to find something that fit. (I will be so happy when I can walk into any store and pick something to wear and have it fit. Honestly.)
Stop 1:"Rollback Heaven"
I will say that the selection here wasn't all that bad, but I feel things are completely mis-sized. I was fine after not finding anything that would work for me until this girl who couldn't have been bigger than a size 6 was shopping for a sports bra with her dad (awkward). Her dad pointed to a specific option and asked why she couldn't wear that one, to which the girl replied, "Because dad, I'm fat. I can't be seen in public in that."
Hold up. What?
You're the size of my left thigh**, and I would kill to look like you. Here's the kicker: her father said nothing. He did say, "Oh no you aren't," or, "Honey, you are beautiful the way God made you." No; he just continued to let her think her size 6 body was overweight. After that, I was so frustrated that I just left.
Stop 2:"Richard's Athletic Goods"
All I have to say is this: If you're promoting health and fitness, maybe start carrying sizes that people who actually need to workout would wear. Also, no one sells goods at the "SMRP" anymore (I just learned that means "suggested manufacture's retail price" tonight, so I thought I'd use it... if you don't use it, you lose it), so how about having a sale?
Stop 3: "The Big Bulls-eye in the Sky"
I love this store. I should have went there to begin with. Thank you for understanding that people of all sizes need all types of clothing.
People of every size need options. No, I won't be this size forever, or even next week, but seriously.
**Editor's Note: I know I use self-effacing humor a lot, making fun of my size, but it's really not funny. It's reality. Melissa often wonders if I'll still be funny when I'm thin. I'd like to think so, but I'm definitely going to have to brush up on it. I don't encourage this way of thinking; this is something I really have to work on. But for anyone who sees me in real life: when I'm out in yoga pants, don't think I'm just trying to make you think I work out. I really do.
Update: I missed my workout this evening. There are no excuses. It just didn't happen... and for the record, I feel crappy about it. (The upside: I'm going two-a-day at it tomorrow.)
Update 2: I found individually-packed Edemame steamers at "Rollback Heaven" today. Consider me pumped.
I hope the girl in the sports bra aisle of "Rollback Heaven" is reading this. I hope her dad is, too.
I'd like to shed a little light on the misconception others have of overweight people. Not all fat people are lazy. Some of us actually like to workout.
So tell me, why is it that it's so hard to find workout clothes in plus sizes?
All I wanted was a sports bra. That's it. Something used to make others' viewings of heavier people working out tolerable. Lock 'em. Load 'em. You're welcome. I had to go to THREE different places tonight to find something that fit. (I will be so happy when I can walk into any store and pick something to wear and have it fit. Honestly.)
Stop 1:"Rollback Heaven"
I will say that the selection here wasn't all that bad, but I feel things are completely mis-sized. I was fine after not finding anything that would work for me until this girl who couldn't have been bigger than a size 6 was shopping for a sports bra with her dad (awkward). Her dad pointed to a specific option and asked why she couldn't wear that one, to which the girl replied, "Because dad, I'm fat. I can't be seen in public in that."
Hold up. What?
You're the size of my left thigh**, and I would kill to look like you. Here's the kicker: her father said nothing. He did say, "Oh no you aren't," or, "Honey, you are beautiful the way God made you." No; he just continued to let her think her size 6 body was overweight. After that, I was so frustrated that I just left.
Stop 2:"Richard's Athletic Goods"
All I have to say is this: If you're promoting health and fitness, maybe start carrying sizes that people who actually need to workout would wear. Also, no one sells goods at the "SMRP" anymore (I just learned that means "suggested manufacture's retail price" tonight, so I thought I'd use it... if you don't use it, you lose it), so how about having a sale?
Stop 3: "The Big Bulls-eye in the Sky"
I love this store. I should have went there to begin with. Thank you for understanding that people of all sizes need all types of clothing.
People of every size need options. No, I won't be this size forever, or even next week, but seriously.
**Editor's Note: I know I use self-effacing humor a lot, making fun of my size, but it's really not funny. It's reality. Melissa often wonders if I'll still be funny when I'm thin. I'd like to think so, but I'm definitely going to have to brush up on it. I don't encourage this way of thinking; this is something I really have to work on. But for anyone who sees me in real life: when I'm out in yoga pants, don't think I'm just trying to make you think I work out. I really do.
Update: I missed my workout this evening. There are no excuses. It just didn't happen... and for the record, I feel crappy about it. (The upside: I'm going two-a-day at it tomorrow.)
Update 2: I found individually-packed Edemame steamers at "Rollback Heaven" today. Consider me pumped.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Humility and All That Comes With It
Post 2 for this evening... I didn't think this really fell into the same vein as the previous entry, so I made it its own post... because I can do that.
If you recall, one of the main reasons I started this blog was in hopes of inspiring one person to start taking steps to better their life (maybe health-wise, maybe not). I was humbled to hear that a post I wrote (The Devil Inside) was shared at a youth group meeting at a church in Ohio last night. I know the youth leader and some of the kids from a mission trip I do each summer.
It's a very cool feeling to know that someone, somewhere thinks that what you're writing is worthwhile.
I received a Facebook message from one of the youth girls after she got home last night. After a long time of not going to youth group, she decided to go last night. After her experience (of which my blog was a part), she decided to start her own blog about the changes she wants to make in her life. You can read it here... show her some love.
My blog wasn't the entire sermon, nor do I choose to believe I was the sole purpose she chose to make some life changes, but it's kind of nice to think I may have had a part in it. So I guess I've reached my goal.
I guess that means I can stop writing this blog.
But I won't, because what does working out teach us? You can always do one more. So I'm updating my goal: I want to reach 10 people and inspire them... in whatever way. So there you go.
Update: This should have gone in this evening's first post, but here works, too. I didn't do leg lifts the past two mornings because I was running late to work (I'm sorry, Melissa). I did them in the evenings though... not quite as effective. Also, I really thought I wouldn't be able to walk after the It Will Rain Sweat x1000 workout on Tuesday, but surprisingly, I was fine! But tonight, after 80 total seconds of jump squats, I need a Hover-round. How about that?
Tomorrow's challenge: Do life and run.
If you recall, one of the main reasons I started this blog was in hopes of inspiring one person to start taking steps to better their life (maybe health-wise, maybe not). I was humbled to hear that a post I wrote (The Devil Inside) was shared at a youth group meeting at a church in Ohio last night. I know the youth leader and some of the kids from a mission trip I do each summer.
It's a very cool feeling to know that someone, somewhere thinks that what you're writing is worthwhile.
I received a Facebook message from one of the youth girls after she got home last night. After a long time of not going to youth group, she decided to go last night. After her experience (of which my blog was a part), she decided to start her own blog about the changes she wants to make in her life. You can read it here... show her some love.
My blog wasn't the entire sermon, nor do I choose to believe I was the sole purpose she chose to make some life changes, but it's kind of nice to think I may have had a part in it. So I guess I've reached my goal.
I guess that means I can stop writing this blog.
But I won't, because what does working out teach us? You can always do one more. So I'm updating my goal: I want to reach 10 people and inspire them... in whatever way. So there you go.
Update: This should have gone in this evening's first post, but here works, too. I didn't do leg lifts the past two mornings because I was running late to work (I'm sorry, Melissa). I did them in the evenings though... not quite as effective. Also, I really thought I wouldn't be able to walk after the It Will Rain Sweat x1000 workout on Tuesday, but surprisingly, I was fine! But tonight, after 80 total seconds of jump squats, I need a Hover-round. How about that?
Tomorrow's challenge: Do life and run.
You Never Regret a Workout
Yesterday was... bad... to say the least. I don't know if it was the constant non-stop schedule I've been keeping the past week or the killer workout Tuesday, but Wednesday was a hard, hard day.
I know that along this journey, there will always be times I want to give up, give in, and just plain give it nothing. I have been super busy at work the past two weeks (which I love because it means kids want to come to my school... which ROCKS), and the weather has been rainy and crappy, and I've been fighting heinous headaches every after noon, and for some reason, I have just been plain STARVING all day, every day. I stick to a strict 2,100 calorie a day diet (without counting the calories I lose when I'm exercising) to be on track to lose 2 pounds a week (which is healthy... I want this to stick, so I'm not all about losing 20 pounds a month, however nice that sounds).
The past few days, I've been within 100 calories of 2,100 every day, which is so not normal for me. I usually end around 1,700-1,800. Not sure what that whole situation is about. Anyway, not the point of the story.
The point is that I can give a million excuses as to why all I wanted to do when I got home from work was get in bed and not resurface until this morning. Where I may have taken a nap after work, I got my butt up and went to PiYo to work out.
I didn't look pretty, and I didn't feel pretty, but my butt was on that yoga mat by 7pm. And by the end of class, I was better for it.
Why?
Because you never regret a workout.
I have come to realize that I got fat because of excuses: "Well, all my friends wanted to grab a bite of dinner at (insert any restaurant name here), so I just went with them;" "oh, well if we're watching a movie, we HAVE to have popcorn!;" "Well, I'm already this fat, so what is one more late-night snack?"
My entire life has been one excuse after another as to why I can eat and why I can't workout.
That stops. Now. I made a resolution that I would work out 6 days a week, and I took Monday off. So there you go.
(PS I was in bed by 9:30 last night)
Today, thankfully, was much better. I think I can attribute my headaches to the weird rainy/snowy weather and the fact that I don't really disperse my calories correctly throughout the day. I tried eating a way bigger breakfast this morning (almost 700 calories... Special K, banana, turkey sausage, and I may have splurged on a non-fat, one pump vanilla chai from Starbucks), and that got me through until lunch. Hit up some Subway for a grilled chicken salad (overloaded on veggie style) and some Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips (another 600 calories), but by 4pm, I was hungry. So I ate another banana and a protein bar and hit up my session with Melissa, where we pumped out the Spartacus 2.0 workout. I sweat a LOT.
By the way, if you're looking for a good workout, try this one. It's a great combination of cardio and strength training. I like this one because how well you do is completely dependent upon how much you're willing to put in. You get 40 seconds to do as many reps of each exercise that you can, so you either pump it out or you wuss it out. I was a good compromise between the two today.
Melissa has also told me to get back on the Couch 2 5k plan, which she asked me how that was going for the week. It's been nonexistant because I've been with her Tuesday-Thursday (I'm totally not complaining), but I'm gonna run Friday and Sunday and hit it up two-a-day style on Saturday with an AM Bootcamp workout and a run that evening.
Note: I don't know why I'm talking all gangster-style situation lately. I kind of like it, though.
I know that along this journey, there will always be times I want to give up, give in, and just plain give it nothing. I have been super busy at work the past two weeks (which I love because it means kids want to come to my school... which ROCKS), and the weather has been rainy and crappy, and I've been fighting heinous headaches every after noon, and for some reason, I have just been plain STARVING all day, every day. I stick to a strict 2,100 calorie a day diet (without counting the calories I lose when I'm exercising) to be on track to lose 2 pounds a week (which is healthy... I want this to stick, so I'm not all about losing 20 pounds a month, however nice that sounds).
The past few days, I've been within 100 calories of 2,100 every day, which is so not normal for me. I usually end around 1,700-1,800. Not sure what that whole situation is about. Anyway, not the point of the story.
The point is that I can give a million excuses as to why all I wanted to do when I got home from work was get in bed and not resurface until this morning. Where I may have taken a nap after work, I got my butt up and went to PiYo to work out.
I didn't look pretty, and I didn't feel pretty, but my butt was on that yoga mat by 7pm. And by the end of class, I was better for it.
Why?
Because you never regret a workout.
I have come to realize that I got fat because of excuses: "Well, all my friends wanted to grab a bite of dinner at (insert any restaurant name here), so I just went with them;" "oh, well if we're watching a movie, we HAVE to have popcorn!;" "Well, I'm already this fat, so what is one more late-night snack?"
My entire life has been one excuse after another as to why I can eat and why I can't workout.
That stops. Now. I made a resolution that I would work out 6 days a week, and I took Monday off. So there you go.
(PS I was in bed by 9:30 last night)
Today, thankfully, was much better. I think I can attribute my headaches to the weird rainy/snowy weather and the fact that I don't really disperse my calories correctly throughout the day. I tried eating a way bigger breakfast this morning (almost 700 calories... Special K, banana, turkey sausage, and I may have splurged on a non-fat, one pump vanilla chai from Starbucks), and that got me through until lunch. Hit up some Subway for a grilled chicken salad (overloaded on veggie style) and some Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips (another 600 calories), but by 4pm, I was hungry. So I ate another banana and a protein bar and hit up my session with Melissa, where we pumped out the Spartacus 2.0 workout. I sweat a LOT.
By the way, if you're looking for a good workout, try this one. It's a great combination of cardio and strength training. I like this one because how well you do is completely dependent upon how much you're willing to put in. You get 40 seconds to do as many reps of each exercise that you can, so you either pump it out or you wuss it out. I was a good compromise between the two today.
Melissa has also told me to get back on the Couch 2 5k plan, which she asked me how that was going for the week. It's been nonexistant because I've been with her Tuesday-Thursday (I'm totally not complaining), but I'm gonna run Friday and Sunday and hit it up two-a-day style on Saturday with an AM Bootcamp workout and a run that evening.
Note: I don't know why I'm talking all gangster-style situation lately. I kind of like it, though.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Just keep moving...
I thought I'd use the remaining 15 minutes of my lunch to go ahead and tell you all about the 1,000 Rep workout I did last night. Like I told you already, I was really nervous, and I wasn't sure how I was going to make it through (since I looked up what I thought it was going to be online... it wasn't it... probably better that way). My 45 minute drive to the gym (I don't live 45 minutes from the gym... I just drive straight from work) was a never-ending pep talk where I decided my mantra was going to be "Just keep moving..."
This is me before the workout (notice the positive thumb-upsky).
I know, not the best picture. Who cares. You take a pretty picture after that workout. I think I sat in this position for a good minute because I really couldn't move. After all that, I still had to go home and cook dinner (which I don't mind). I also cried for a very long time when I got home.
I think I scared my dad.
I think I cried partly because I didn't think I could do it and partly because my body was so physically tired that cooking seemed so difficult.
Lesson learned: Your body can do more than you think it can, so push it.
Sidenote: If anyone knows how to make roasted potatoes, let me know. I had to throw mine out because apparently, you have to cook them before you roast them in the oven. Who knew?
This is me before the workout (notice the positive thumb-upsky).
I can't even tell you what all we did. 100 pushups, some leg and back situations... I kind of blocked it out. My goal was to finish the entire thing under an hour. 57 minutes flat. "Just keep moving..." I will now dub this workout the "It Will Rain Sweat x1,000" workout. This is me after.
I know, not the best picture. Who cares. You take a pretty picture after that workout. I think I sat in this position for a good minute because I really couldn't move. After all that, I still had to go home and cook dinner (which I don't mind). I also cried for a very long time when I got home.
I think I scared my dad.
I think I cried partly because I didn't think I could do it and partly because my body was so physically tired that cooking seemed so difficult.
Lesson learned: Your body can do more than you think it can, so push it.
Sidenote: If anyone knows how to make roasted potatoes, let me know. I had to throw mine out because apparently, you have to cook them before you roast them in the oven. Who knew?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Just in Case...
I have this sneaking suspicion that I will be far too tired to post anything this evening after my "1,000 Rep Workout," so I'm posting this now (to keep with my resolution).
I think the anticipation as to what this workout will entail is going to end up being far worse than the workout itself (or at least I hope). I kind of wish I had never been given this vague yet vicious tidbit of information.
I've already heard some horror stories, but nothing specific. I'm eating 4 tbsp. of peanut butter beforehand, just in case. I know I'll work it off, but I know I'll need the calories to get me through.
I've actually given myself a headache thinking about it so much, so I'm going to stop. Wish me luck!
Update: 15 leg lifts this morning with no break! Up 5 from yesterday. Progress!
I think the anticipation as to what this workout will entail is going to end up being far worse than the workout itself (or at least I hope). I kind of wish I had never been given this vague yet vicious tidbit of information.
I've already heard some horror stories, but nothing specific. I'm eating 4 tbsp. of peanut butter beforehand, just in case. I know I'll work it off, but I know I'll need the calories to get me through.
I've actually given myself a headache thinking about it so much, so I'm going to stop. Wish me luck!
Update: 15 leg lifts this morning with no break! Up 5 from yesterday. Progress!
Monday, January 9, 2012
I Can (NOT) Cook
My life is being taken over by Pampered Chef!
I'm selling Pampered Chef to help raise money for my mission trip to South Africa this summer. You can go here if you'd like to order some. My show closes tomorrow at 11:59EST, and make sure to list Erica Byrd as your host. (Awesome gadgets if you're looking to eat a little healthier!)
Anyway, this installment isn't about buying Pampered Chef. It just lends itself nicely to what I wanted to write about, which is food.
I've never been much of a cook because that's my dad's job. He cooks the meals, and he's good at it. Why fix what's not broken, right? Until I realized everything he cooks is less than stellar for me. So my parents decided that we would start eating by my standards (yes, I still live with my parents). Where I am so excited my mom and dad have decided they want to start eating healthier, this is a bit of a catch-22. Because now I'm in charge of not only the grocery shopping, but also the cooking.
Yikes.
So here is the plan I try to follow:
Breakfast: 300-500 calories
Snack: 200-300 calories
Lunch: 500-700 calories
Snack: 200-300 calories
Dinner: 400-500 calories
I try to make my biggest meals breakfast and lunch, that way my body has time to process what I'm eating and break it down before I go to bed. I normally don't do many carbs for dinner since I normally don't eat until 7pm. The carbs I do eat that time of day are usually vegetables because they break down easier than, say, pasta or bread.
Usually my days go something like this:
Breakfast (8:30am)
Kroger Carbmaster yogurt- around 60 calories (any flavor... my favorite is the Strawberry Pomegranite)
Luna Bar - around 190 calories (my favorites are Lemon Zest and Vanilla Almond)
Some sort of coffee drink, like a Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks - 160 calories
BREAKFAST TOTAL: 410
Lunch (noon)
Wrap with Ham, Cheese, and Mayo
(Tumaro's Gourmet Tortillas, 96% fat free jalapeno & cilantro - 120 calories, 1 tbsp. reduced fat mayo with olive oil - 45, 3 oz. reduced sodium ham - around 70 calories, and 1 slice Sargento's swiss or mozzerella cheese - around 70 calories)
10 Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips - 130 calories
Then I usually either do an medium apple (72 calories) or a Mott's Natural No Sugar Added applesauce (50 calories)
Sometimes there is 2 tbsp Kroger Reduced Fat Peanut Butter (170 calories) if I know I'll be training with Melissa for an extra bit of protein.
LUNCH TOTAL: approx. 600
Afternoon snack (3:30ish)
This just depends... sometimes I'll do a banana (105 calories), or I'll eat the apple if I didn't earlier.
Dinner (7:00ish)
This just depends, too. I don't eat red meat, but I do a lean meat like chicken, turkey, or pork. I pair it with a vegetable (usually green) like green beans, broccoli, or asparagus, and sometimes a carb (pasta or potatoes). It usually never exceeds 600 calories, and it highly depends on what kind of workout I've done that day or how late I'm eating.
So the adventure in all this is that I'm having to learn how to cook, making me scour the internet and friends' cookbooks for healthy options. If you've ever been on Pinterest (you should be), it's a great place to find some good recipes, like this one:
(Sorry that my phone camera makes everything look orange or yellow.) This is a Skinny Bacon Ranch Chicken Crockpot recipe I found that is so delicious, and only 453 calories! (I added a cup of green beans, which is additional calorie intake.)
Skinny Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta
Ingredients:
1- 10.5 oz 98% fat free Cream of Chicken Soup (I've only found this in Kroger brand)
1- packet of Hidden Valley ranch seasoning
2- turkey bacon slices, chopped, cooked in naked pan
1- 8oz. fat free sour cream (again, I've only found it in Kroger Brand
1 tbsp minced garlic (I used garlic salt)
1 tbsp onion powder
8 oz. frozen chicken tenders
8 oz. pasta of your choice (I used whole wheat rotini)
Directions:
Put frozen chicken in crockpot. Mix soup, ranch packet, cooked bacon, sour cream, minced garlic, and onion powder together to form sauce. Pour over frozen chicken. Cook on HIGH for 3-3.5 hours in crockpot, stirring occasionally. Boil pasta according to box, drain, and serve chicken mixture over 2 oz. pasta. Enjoy!
Yields: 4 servings
It's really easy, and if you're eating at a relatively normal dinner time (not 7pm), it's a great option. It would probably also taste good with steamed broccoli! Heck, you could even mix the cooked broccoli into the pasta! Yum! (I realize this doesn't follow my "No Pasta at Dinner" rule, but like I said, if you're eating at a NORMAL time...)
_________________________
I've been really researching "trick" foods lately, especially on Eat This, Not That, and it's really helping. For example, caffeine is OKAY to have, as long as it's in its natural form, like black coffee. Coffee actually helps to speed up your metabolism! Caffeine is NOT okay in things like carbonated sodas (even diet ones), which that's okay with me because I don't drink soda anyway (I will rarely crave a Sierra Mist, and I'll get the Natural kind when I do). It's not that the caffeine in soda is different than in that of black coffee-- the sugars in the soda will kill your diet (even diet soda). Even if you're just counting calories, the hidden dangers in soda (especially diet soda) are what you have to look out for. They slow down the process of your body.
One thing I don't do is have a "cheat meal" a week. It's not because I'm trying to limit myself... it's more my weird brain that says, "If you have a CHEAT meal, that means you are on a diet and not making a lifestyle change." Again, that's me, and it's different for everyone. If a cheat meal works for you, that is absolutely fine.
The one thing to remember is if you have something that's less than healthy for you, it's okay. Don't beat yourself up. Just move on.
Again, I'm not a health expert or fitness guru. I'm just thinking out loud, and maybe my thought process will work for you, too.
P.S. I started my day off with 30 leg lifts. They were definitely easier in the morning, and I found myself energized (oddly enough) after. I opted not to run tonight because 1) I worked late, 2) my legs are sore, and 3) I'm apparently doing some 1,000 rep Melissa workout tomorrow. I thought I'd need to be at full capacity for that. It just means that I'll be hitting it hard Tuesday-Sunday (to stick to my resolutions).
I'm selling Pampered Chef to help raise money for my mission trip to South Africa this summer. You can go here if you'd like to order some. My show closes tomorrow at 11:59EST, and make sure to list Erica Byrd as your host. (Awesome gadgets if you're looking to eat a little healthier!)
Anyway, this installment isn't about buying Pampered Chef. It just lends itself nicely to what I wanted to write about, which is food.
I've never been much of a cook because that's my dad's job. He cooks the meals, and he's good at it. Why fix what's not broken, right? Until I realized everything he cooks is less than stellar for me. So my parents decided that we would start eating by my standards (yes, I still live with my parents). Where I am so excited my mom and dad have decided they want to start eating healthier, this is a bit of a catch-22. Because now I'm in charge of not only the grocery shopping, but also the cooking.
Yikes.
So here is the plan I try to follow:
Breakfast: 300-500 calories
Snack: 200-300 calories
Lunch: 500-700 calories
Snack: 200-300 calories
Dinner: 400-500 calories
I try to make my biggest meals breakfast and lunch, that way my body has time to process what I'm eating and break it down before I go to bed. I normally don't do many carbs for dinner since I normally don't eat until 7pm. The carbs I do eat that time of day are usually vegetables because they break down easier than, say, pasta or bread.
Usually my days go something like this:
Breakfast (8:30am)
Kroger Carbmaster yogurt- around 60 calories (any flavor... my favorite is the Strawberry Pomegranite)
Luna Bar - around 190 calories (my favorites are Lemon Zest and Vanilla Almond)
Some sort of coffee drink, like a Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks - 160 calories
BREAKFAST TOTAL: 410
Lunch (noon)
Wrap with Ham, Cheese, and Mayo
(Tumaro's Gourmet Tortillas, 96% fat free jalapeno & cilantro - 120 calories, 1 tbsp. reduced fat mayo with olive oil - 45, 3 oz. reduced sodium ham - around 70 calories, and 1 slice Sargento's swiss or mozzerella cheese - around 70 calories)
10 Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips - 130 calories
Then I usually either do an medium apple (72 calories) or a Mott's Natural No Sugar Added applesauce (50 calories)
Sometimes there is 2 tbsp Kroger Reduced Fat Peanut Butter (170 calories) if I know I'll be training with Melissa for an extra bit of protein.
LUNCH TOTAL: approx. 600
Afternoon snack (3:30ish)
This just depends... sometimes I'll do a banana (105 calories), or I'll eat the apple if I didn't earlier.
Dinner (7:00ish)
This just depends, too. I don't eat red meat, but I do a lean meat like chicken, turkey, or pork. I pair it with a vegetable (usually green) like green beans, broccoli, or asparagus, and sometimes a carb (pasta or potatoes). It usually never exceeds 600 calories, and it highly depends on what kind of workout I've done that day or how late I'm eating.
So the adventure in all this is that I'm having to learn how to cook, making me scour the internet and friends' cookbooks for healthy options. If you've ever been on Pinterest (you should be), it's a great place to find some good recipes, like this one:
(Sorry that my phone camera makes everything look orange or yellow.) This is a Skinny Bacon Ranch Chicken Crockpot recipe I found that is so delicious, and only 453 calories! (I added a cup of green beans, which is additional calorie intake.)
Skinny Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta
Ingredients:
1- 10.5 oz 98% fat free Cream of Chicken Soup (I've only found this in Kroger brand)
1- packet of Hidden Valley ranch seasoning
2- turkey bacon slices, chopped, cooked in naked pan
1- 8oz. fat free sour cream (again, I've only found it in Kroger Brand
1 tbsp minced garlic (I used garlic salt)
1 tbsp onion powder
8 oz. frozen chicken tenders
8 oz. pasta of your choice (I used whole wheat rotini)
Directions:
Put frozen chicken in crockpot. Mix soup, ranch packet, cooked bacon, sour cream, minced garlic, and onion powder together to form sauce. Pour over frozen chicken. Cook on HIGH for 3-3.5 hours in crockpot, stirring occasionally. Boil pasta according to box, drain, and serve chicken mixture over 2 oz. pasta. Enjoy!
Yields: 4 servings
It's really easy, and if you're eating at a relatively normal dinner time (not 7pm), it's a great option. It would probably also taste good with steamed broccoli! Heck, you could even mix the cooked broccoli into the pasta! Yum! (I realize this doesn't follow my "No Pasta at Dinner" rule, but like I said, if you're eating at a NORMAL time...)
_________________________
I've been really researching "trick" foods lately, especially on Eat This, Not That, and it's really helping. For example, caffeine is OKAY to have, as long as it's in its natural form, like black coffee. Coffee actually helps to speed up your metabolism! Caffeine is NOT okay in things like carbonated sodas (even diet ones), which that's okay with me because I don't drink soda anyway (I will rarely crave a Sierra Mist, and I'll get the Natural kind when I do). It's not that the caffeine in soda is different than in that of black coffee-- the sugars in the soda will kill your diet (even diet soda). Even if you're just counting calories, the hidden dangers in soda (especially diet soda) are what you have to look out for. They slow down the process of your body.
One thing I don't do is have a "cheat meal" a week. It's not because I'm trying to limit myself... it's more my weird brain that says, "If you have a CHEAT meal, that means you are on a diet and not making a lifestyle change." Again, that's me, and it's different for everyone. If a cheat meal works for you, that is absolutely fine.
The one thing to remember is if you have something that's less than healthy for you, it's okay. Don't beat yourself up. Just move on.
Again, I'm not a health expert or fitness guru. I'm just thinking out loud, and maybe my thought process will work for you, too.
P.S. I started my day off with 30 leg lifts. They were definitely easier in the morning, and I found myself energized (oddly enough) after. I opted not to run tonight because 1) I worked late, 2) my legs are sore, and 3) I'm apparently doing some 1,000 rep Melissa workout tomorrow. I thought I'd need to be at full capacity for that. It just means that I'll be hitting it hard Tuesday-Sunday (to stick to my resolutions).
The Devil Inside
I saw this movie tonight. It wasn't the greatest. Actually, don't waste your money; wait until it comes out on NetFlix. But, it did get me thinking.
Why has it taken me 26 years to finally realize that I was headed down such a disastrous path?
We all make important decisions at different times in our lives. I know some 20-year-olds that are far more grown up than me, and I know some 50-year-olds that have no idea how to manage their own money. Why is it that when we turn 18, some magic "Act Like an Adult" button isn't activated? I think it is because we're all facing some sort of battle... some demon... within us that tells us that we can't do something.
Learning to silence those demons is the first step.
Everyday, when I get to the gym, the track, a training session, I still have that voice inside my head that says, "I don't know why you keep trying. You are never going to be thin." Every plank I do, I hear, "You can not hold it this anymore. You are going to fall." Everytime I bump up the speed on the treadmill, that voice screams, "What are you doing?! You can not run this fast. You are FAT, do you not remember?!?!"
So why do I still go to the gym? Why do I hold that plank another 10 seconds? Why do I keep speeding up my runs?
Because I can. And I will. And I have.
Getting healthy is not an easy process. If you have never struggled with your weight, you better thank God every single day that this is one demon He is not testing you with. The demon that tells you that you will never be good enough, strong enough, fast enough, or thin enough is way harder than any other demon I have ever faced. But what does the Good Book tell us?
Proceed with faith, and be strong. "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13) This is what I have to continuously remind myself of every day I enter the gym, go out to eat with co-workers, or find myself being lapped at the track. This verse gives no stipulations like: "I can do all things (in 6 months) through Him that gives me strength," or, "I can do (some) things through Him who gives me strength." ALL THINGS. PERIOD.
Including this, which I received from my Melissa in the middle of the movie:
How are the resolutions coming?
Why has it taken me 26 years to finally realize that I was headed down such a disastrous path?
We all make important decisions at different times in our lives. I know some 20-year-olds that are far more grown up than me, and I know some 50-year-olds that have no idea how to manage their own money. Why is it that when we turn 18, some magic "Act Like an Adult" button isn't activated? I think it is because we're all facing some sort of battle... some demon... within us that tells us that we can't do something.
Learning to silence those demons is the first step.
Everyday, when I get to the gym, the track, a training session, I still have that voice inside my head that says, "I don't know why you keep trying. You are never going to be thin." Every plank I do, I hear, "You can not hold it this anymore. You are going to fall." Everytime I bump up the speed on the treadmill, that voice screams, "What are you doing?! You can not run this fast. You are FAT, do you not remember?!?!"
So why do I still go to the gym? Why do I hold that plank another 10 seconds? Why do I keep speeding up my runs?
Because I can. And I will. And I have.
Getting healthy is not an easy process. If you have never struggled with your weight, you better thank God every single day that this is one demon He is not testing you with. The demon that tells you that you will never be good enough, strong enough, fast enough, or thin enough is way harder than any other demon I have ever faced. But what does the Good Book tell us?
Proceed with faith, and be strong. "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13) This is what I have to continuously remind myself of every day I enter the gym, go out to eat with co-workers, or find myself being lapped at the track. This verse gives no stipulations like: "I can do all things (in 6 months) through Him that gives me strength," or, "I can do (some) things through Him who gives me strength." ALL THINGS. PERIOD.
Including this, which I received from my Melissa in the middle of the movie:
How are the resolutions coming?
As for the first
goal: Get back on the couch to 5K program (keep me posted).
Also incorporate the following interval treadmill workout once a week
(it is 25 minutes).
5 minutes
|
3 speed
|
4 minutes
|
3.5 speed
|
7 minutes
|
4 speed
|
4 minutes
|
4.5 speed
|
5 minutes
|
3 speed
|
This week: Start every morning with...
you guessed it: LEG LIFTS. Starting them fresh will make a difference
in how many you will be able to do! And doing them first thing in the
morning will help build STRENGTH! See you Tuesday!
(Doesn't she seem so chipper at the end!?)
If you recall, I had to make a list of resolutions to follow to start off the new year right. I have followed every single resolution this week (this blog still counts as Sunday because I started it before midnight, and I haven't been to bed yet). Now this whole interval situation on the treadmill... I've never done a 4.5 running speed, let alone run for 7 minutes in a row. But guess what... I'm gonna try.
Oh, and early morning leg lifts. Guess I need to find my bedroom floor. Goal for tomorrow morning: 15 in a row. (Trying to keep the goal SMART, and I've never done more than 10 in a row.) I'll update tomorrow night.
If you're reading this, and if you do this, I'm asking you to take 30 seconds and say a prayer for me. Pray that I continually find the strength to keep this up. I believe in the power of prayer, and with over 300 blog views in 4 days (in over 4 countries), I know it will help. Thank you!
Sidenote: I ran at the track today. Bad idea. This is the end result (and yes I have pants on). Again, I saved it right-side-up. Also note the Christmas socks. (The blue thing is a heating pad.)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
This One Has a Picture...
So I didn't do the workout I posted yesterday. No 5x of the 100 Calorie Workout. Instead, I just decided to beat my mile.
Which I did.
Mile time on 1/5...... 18:18
Mile time tonight...... 16:29
Cut of 1:49
I normally walk at a 3.0 and jog at a 3.8. Tonight, I walked at a 3.2 and jogged at a 4.2. I know that's still slow, but in my defense, it hadn't even been an hour since I ate dinner. After about a mile and a half, I got a cramp in my stomach and stopped. It's okay though... I still did something. I'm also going to credit my slower time on Thursday to the fact I had a hard 50 minute workout before I ran.
Not sure what I'll do tomorrow. Cardio of some situation.
On a side note, I really like grocery shopping AFTER I workout. Yes, I'm usually hungry, but I'm also riding the endorphin high and feel pretty good. I equate that feeling to buying healthier food. Hence...
Which I did.
Mile time on 1/5...... 18:18
Mile time tonight...... 16:29
Cut of 1:49
I normally walk at a 3.0 and jog at a 3.8. Tonight, I walked at a 3.2 and jogged at a 4.2. I know that's still slow, but in my defense, it hadn't even been an hour since I ate dinner. After about a mile and a half, I got a cramp in my stomach and stopped. It's okay though... I still did something. I'm also going to credit my slower time on Thursday to the fact I had a hard 50 minute workout before I ran.
Not sure what I'll do tomorrow. Cardio of some situation.
On a side note, I really like grocery shopping AFTER I workout. Yes, I'm usually hungry, but I'm also riding the endorphin high and feel pretty good. I equate that feeling to buying healthier food. Hence...
me with some grapefruit. Sorry it's sideways. I can't figure out how to turn it. Also, I know I look like a hot mess, but if my philosophy is: If you're still beautiful after a workout, you didn't train hard enough. So there you go.
Edit: Go Mountaineers.
Small grocery list of the evening:
10lb of grapefruit
10 Luna bars
2 bags Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips (a way healthier option than potato chips)
According to Eat This, Not That (I'm addicted to them), grapefruits are good belly-fat busters. I usually take people at their word, so I believe them. If it's not true, it's still fruit, so I don't feel bad.
I'm not going to write anymore. My computer is processing slower than Noah's Ark was built.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Gotta Get Down on... Saturday
Goals for Tomorrow's Workout:
I'm going to do 5 cycles of this, ending with a 1 mile jog/walk situation (I'll update my time tomorrow).
A little something extra.
I'm going to do 5 cycles of this, ending with a 1 mile jog/walk situation (I'll update my time tomorrow).
A little something extra.
9 Months Along (and no, I'm not pregnant)
I don't think I mentioned this already, but I'm an Admission Counselor at a small private college. Basically, I assist students who are interested in my institution through the admission, acceptance, financial aid, deposit, and registration process of college. That's it in a nutshell. Oh, and I work with these students' guidance counselors and teachers on a daily basis. Some day are great (like yesterday), and some days are... harder... than others (like today). Even through the bad days, I love my job and the difference I make in peoples' lives. I guess you can say I've kind of hit my goal I mentioned at the end of my first post, but I wasn't really talking about my work life.
Anyway... that was important because what I'm about to tell you wouldn't make sense if you hadn't known my role in society. Back in March 2011, I was assisting a Director of Financial Aid in a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid... you fill it out when you want help paying for college) workshop at a local high school. The workshop was held in this room called the LGI (no idea what that stands for) where the seating consisted of these swivel chairs that attached to long table-desk things. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about despite my very vague description. The chairs only extended from the table so far.
I was too big to sit in the chair and face forward. I had to sit at an angle to make room for the non-existant 9-month-old fetus in my belly.
Fast forward 9 months to today when I started my first class as a graduate student (Master's of Arts in Corporate Communication Studies... sounds fancier than it is). It's part of the Extended Learning program at West Virginia University, which means the classes aren't at the University (45 minutes away from home). Classes are 6-9 two Fridays a month and 9-5 two Saturdays a month. Anyone want to take a stab at where the classes were held?
Yep.
So tonight, I found myself face-to-face with the same chair-filled room that I did last year. Will I fit in the chair? Will people notice if I am extremely uncomfortable? How am I going to sit 8 hours in this chair without wanting to kill myself? Are they judging me? These are the thoughts running through my head. Finally, I said to myself, "Well, you have no choice. You would look more awkward standing." So I sat.
Caution: Success story ahead.
I fit. I could sit down and swivel around to face the professor... and still breathe! Holy cow.
So this day turned out to be better than it started.
Update: I am forfeiting the gym tonight in an attempt to actually sleep. To keep to my resolutions, I will be working out tomorrow and Sunday to hit my 6-days-a-week goal. I've been in the gym Monday-Thursday this week.
Anyway... that was important because what I'm about to tell you wouldn't make sense if you hadn't known my role in society. Back in March 2011, I was assisting a Director of Financial Aid in a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid... you fill it out when you want help paying for college) workshop at a local high school. The workshop was held in this room called the LGI (no idea what that stands for) where the seating consisted of these swivel chairs that attached to long table-desk things. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about despite my very vague description. The chairs only extended from the table so far.
I was too big to sit in the chair and face forward. I had to sit at an angle to make room for the non-existant 9-month-old fetus in my belly.
Fast forward 9 months to today when I started my first class as a graduate student (Master's of Arts in Corporate Communication Studies... sounds fancier than it is). It's part of the Extended Learning program at West Virginia University, which means the classes aren't at the University (45 minutes away from home). Classes are 6-9 two Fridays a month and 9-5 two Saturdays a month. Anyone want to take a stab at where the classes were held?
Yep.
So tonight, I found myself face-to-face with the same chair-filled room that I did last year. Will I fit in the chair? Will people notice if I am extremely uncomfortable? How am I going to sit 8 hours in this chair without wanting to kill myself? Are they judging me? These are the thoughts running through my head. Finally, I said to myself, "Well, you have no choice. You would look more awkward standing." So I sat.
Caution: Success story ahead.
I fit. I could sit down and swivel around to face the professor... and still breathe! Holy cow.
So this day turned out to be better than it started.
Update: I am forfeiting the gym tonight in an attempt to actually sleep. To keep to my resolutions, I will be working out tomorrow and Sunday to hit my 6-days-a-week goal. I've been in the gym Monday-Thursday this week.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
My Homework, Teacher
As I mentioned in my previous post, Melissa had her clients complete a list of resolutions, 30 day goals, and 90 day goals. She called it homework, so I called her teacher. (This was perfect, actually, as I'm starting grad school tomorrow!)
I thought I'd share these with you because you are now my accountability partner.
Resolutions: I resolve to...
Goals should be SMART
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely
What are your fitness goals?
I thought I'd share these with you because you are now my accountability partner.
Resolutions: I resolve to...
- never be too scared to try a new workout (even if this includes box jumps)
- exercise 6 times a week
- never say "I can't" do something without trying it first
- update my blog daily
- run a mile without stopping
- complete 20 leg lifts in a row without dropping my legs
- lose 25 more pounds
- complete a 5k in less than 40 minutes
Goals should be SMART
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely
What are your fitness goals?
Magnificent MILEstones
I never thought I'd ever be able to run. Being overweight is a burden enough when you're just walking on a flat surface (I always joked I could start a fire with the friction between my thighs), let alone up hills or even, gasp, STAIRS. Elevators are the fat person's best friend.
Back in September, I decided that I was going to run. I didn't care if it took me 45 minutes to run a mile. I was going to do it. So, I started the Couch to 5k program (you can find it here). It's a great program to get the couch potato (me) running a 5k (3.1 miles) or 30 minutes in 9 weeks. As I started Week 1, I had to alternate walking and jogging, where the jogging never exceeded 30 seconds. Doable, right?
Wrong.
I couldn't even run 30 seconds without hyperventilating. Well, this is fantastic, I thought. I didn't stop, though. I kept trying, and I was eventually running 5 minute spurts with (relative) ease. I, by no means, consider myself a runner, but small steps, right? Long story short, about 5 weeks into it, I fell off the running train, and I really haven't been a passenger since.
Melissa (remember her? By the way, you can find her blog here) challenged all her clients to a 5k race in April as part of her New Year, New You plan. (We also made some resolutions and goals; I'll share that later.) So I figure this is the perfect time to start running again, and the perfect time to start my time log.
Introducing my new segment: Magnificent MILEstones.
Jan. 5 18:18 minutes
Not great, but not as bad as it could be.
I'm going to start a long to keep track of my progress and pace of my running mile (inspired by Ben Davis of this blog here). I'm giving you lots of reading material here, I know, but seriously... read them. ALL.
So this is my Lesson Two in appreciating the small steps it takes to get BIG results. What is Lesson One, you ask?
During my session with Melissa tonight, I completed this workout:
50 reps each of...
Chest press with 10lb medicine ball
Jumping Jacks (I have a very, very real fear of jumping)
Throw Downs with 10lb medicine ball
Mountain Climbers
Bicep Curls with 10lb medicine ball
High Knees
Tricep Drop with 10 lb medicine ball
Ground Jacks (now so fondly referred to as "butt flappers")
Squat Press with 8lb medicine ball
25 Leg Lifts (I couldn't do even one in mid-August)
Plank Steps in modified plank
1 Mile on anything but the stationary bike (I chose the treadmill for a walk/jog combo)
This took one hour exactly.
Now, the couple that trains before me, Amber and Scott (read Amber's awesome weight-loss blog here) completed two rounds of this circuit in the time it took me to complete one. Of course, I asked Melissa, "What did I do wrong?" Now, if you know Melissa, you know what I mean when I say that I got the look. It's not a bad look (I don't think she could ever look bad... Did you catch that sucking up, Melissa?!), but it's just a look that says What in the heck are you talking about?! She said to me, "You didn't do anything wrong. They've been doing this for 9 months. You'll get there."
I took that little bit of information and stored that away for later use in my mental "Remember This When You Think You are Failing" file. I guess my point is this: you have to realize where you are now to appreciate where you started.
I'll get there. You'll get there. It didn't take 5 months to put the weight on, so it sure as heck isn't going to take 5 months to get the weight off. Whether your goal is 10lbs or 100lbs (or more), one small accomplishment is just that, an accomplishment. It's something you can say you were able to do that you couldn't yesterday.
Savor it.
Back in September, I decided that I was going to run. I didn't care if it took me 45 minutes to run a mile. I was going to do it. So, I started the Couch to 5k program (you can find it here). It's a great program to get the couch potato (me) running a 5k (3.1 miles) or 30 minutes in 9 weeks. As I started Week 1, I had to alternate walking and jogging, where the jogging never exceeded 30 seconds. Doable, right?
Wrong.
I couldn't even run 30 seconds without hyperventilating. Well, this is fantastic, I thought. I didn't stop, though. I kept trying, and I was eventually running 5 minute spurts with (relative) ease. I, by no means, consider myself a runner, but small steps, right? Long story short, about 5 weeks into it, I fell off the running train, and I really haven't been a passenger since.
Melissa (remember her? By the way, you can find her blog here) challenged all her clients to a 5k race in April as part of her New Year, New You plan. (We also made some resolutions and goals; I'll share that later.) So I figure this is the perfect time to start running again, and the perfect time to start my time log.
Introducing my new segment: Magnificent MILEstones.
Jan. 5 18:18 minutes
Not great, but not as bad as it could be.
I'm going to start a long to keep track of my progress and pace of my running mile (inspired by Ben Davis of this blog here). I'm giving you lots of reading material here, I know, but seriously... read them. ALL.
So this is my Lesson Two in appreciating the small steps it takes to get BIG results. What is Lesson One, you ask?
During my session with Melissa tonight, I completed this workout:
50 reps each of...
Chest press with 10lb medicine ball
Jumping Jacks (I have a very, very real fear of jumping)
Throw Downs with 10lb medicine ball
Mountain Climbers
Bicep Curls with 10lb medicine ball
High Knees
Tricep Drop with 10 lb medicine ball
Ground Jacks (now so fondly referred to as "butt flappers")
Squat Press with 8lb medicine ball
25 Leg Lifts (I couldn't do even one in mid-August)
Plank Steps in modified plank
1 Mile on anything but the stationary bike (I chose the treadmill for a walk/jog combo)
This took one hour exactly.
Now, the couple that trains before me, Amber and Scott (read Amber's awesome weight-loss blog here) completed two rounds of this circuit in the time it took me to complete one. Of course, I asked Melissa, "What did I do wrong?" Now, if you know Melissa, you know what I mean when I say that I got the look. It's not a bad look (I don't think she could ever look bad... Did you catch that sucking up, Melissa?!), but it's just a look that says What in the heck are you talking about?! She said to me, "You didn't do anything wrong. They've been doing this for 9 months. You'll get there."
I took that little bit of information and stored that away for later use in my mental "Remember This When You Think You are Failing" file. I guess my point is this: you have to realize where you are now to appreciate where you started.
I'll get there. You'll get there. It didn't take 5 months to put the weight on, so it sure as heck isn't going to take 5 months to get the weight off. Whether your goal is 10lbs or 100lbs (or more), one small accomplishment is just that, an accomplishment. It's something you can say you were able to do that you couldn't yesterday.
Savor it.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A Brief History of Time...
One month was all it took to realize I couldn't do this journey alone.
When I joined Anytime Fitness on July 1 (which was a fluke, by the way... it's actually quite a funny story), I decided I was going to take it into my own hands to lose the weight the same way I had gained the weight... alone. It had been years since I'd been in a gym, but I remembered the basics: warm-up, weights, cardio, done... oh, and always wipe off the machines.
When mid-August rolled around and I hadn't really lost any weight, I went to the gym owner for some tips. He suggested taking this Bootcamp class on Saturday mornings at 9am. That seemed so incredibly early and so incredibly intimidating. He introduced me to Melissa Romano, a personal trainer, who taught the class. She was cute. She was tiny. She was everything I wasn't but wanted. (I think I at one point called her Barbie. Melissa, I'm sorry I ever misjudged you.) As we chatted about the class, this is the basic gist of how my own thoughts were going: "An hour of strength and cardio training... yeah right... lady, have you seen me??... you probably have no idea what I'm facing... you work in Bridgeport where everyone is thin, rich, and beautiful... you don't really think I can do this... whatever, you are just saying I'll be 'fine'..."
If you know me well enough, you know I'm telling the truth.
I went to bootcamp, and I survived. I couldn't really do anything the rest of the class was doing, but I didn't die. I don't think I went back for a few weeks.
Somewhere along the way, I was talked into going to this PiYo class on Wednesday nights that were taught by, you guessed it, Melissa. PiYo is a mix of Pilates and Yoga. Now, I thought I could probably doing this because, despite my size, I'm actually quite flexible, and I used to do Pilates sporadically in college.
I went to PiYo, and I survived. Again, I couldn't really do much of anything, and when I left, I limped for a week because my legs and butt were so sore that it hurt to sit down.
I think I finally realized what I was actually facing. For the first time in the two or three month period since I started exercising "regularly" (between 1-4 times a week), I saw myself at the bottom of this mountain that I needed to climb, and I finally realized that I probably couldn't do this by myself.
After many conversations with Melissa, I realized a few things. She really did care to see me succeed. She never judged me, not even for a second. She didn't care what my size was, but she did care how much I wanted this and how much she could help me. (I stopped calling her Barbie after this.)
Between September and now, I have done things I never thought I could ever do (like 100 leg lifts or 200 jumping jacks or 150 squats... all in an hour). That woman has changed my life like she will never, ever realize. She's not only helping me better my body, but she is strengthening my mind and spirit, too.
As I start this new year, my new motto is, "You either adapt, you migrate, or you die" (Charles Darwin). You can either adapt to the bad habits, people, or surroundings that are holding you down, or you can migrate to higher ground... because if you don't, you will die. Whether in mind, spirit, or body, you will die. I can't have that, and neither can you. Be proactive. Be productive. Hard work. Determination. YOU FIRST.
When I joined Anytime Fitness on July 1 (which was a fluke, by the way... it's actually quite a funny story), I decided I was going to take it into my own hands to lose the weight the same way I had gained the weight... alone. It had been years since I'd been in a gym, but I remembered the basics: warm-up, weights, cardio, done... oh, and always wipe off the machines.
When mid-August rolled around and I hadn't really lost any weight, I went to the gym owner for some tips. He suggested taking this Bootcamp class on Saturday mornings at 9am. That seemed so incredibly early and so incredibly intimidating. He introduced me to Melissa Romano, a personal trainer, who taught the class. She was cute. She was tiny. She was everything I wasn't but wanted. (I think I at one point called her Barbie. Melissa, I'm sorry I ever misjudged you.) As we chatted about the class, this is the basic gist of how my own thoughts were going: "An hour of strength and cardio training... yeah right... lady, have you seen me??... you probably have no idea what I'm facing... you work in Bridgeport where everyone is thin, rich, and beautiful... you don't really think I can do this... whatever, you are just saying I'll be 'fine'..."
If you know me well enough, you know I'm telling the truth.
I went to bootcamp, and I survived. I couldn't really do anything the rest of the class was doing, but I didn't die. I don't think I went back for a few weeks.
Somewhere along the way, I was talked into going to this PiYo class on Wednesday nights that were taught by, you guessed it, Melissa. PiYo is a mix of Pilates and Yoga. Now, I thought I could probably doing this because, despite my size, I'm actually quite flexible, and I used to do Pilates sporadically in college.
I went to PiYo, and I survived. Again, I couldn't really do much of anything, and when I left, I limped for a week because my legs and butt were so sore that it hurt to sit down.
I think I finally realized what I was actually facing. For the first time in the two or three month period since I started exercising "regularly" (between 1-4 times a week), I saw myself at the bottom of this mountain that I needed to climb, and I finally realized that I probably couldn't do this by myself.
After many conversations with Melissa, I realized a few things. She really did care to see me succeed. She never judged me, not even for a second. She didn't care what my size was, but she did care how much I wanted this and how much she could help me. (I stopped calling her Barbie after this.)
Between September and now, I have done things I never thought I could ever do (like 100 leg lifts or 200 jumping jacks or 150 squats... all in an hour). That woman has changed my life like she will never, ever realize. She's not only helping me better my body, but she is strengthening my mind and spirit, too.
As I start this new year, my new motto is, "You either adapt, you migrate, or you die" (Charles Darwin). You can either adapt to the bad habits, people, or surroundings that are holding you down, or you can migrate to higher ground... because if you don't, you will die. Whether in mind, spirit, or body, you will die. I can't have that, and neither can you. Be proactive. Be productive. Hard work. Determination. YOU FIRST.
A Little Behind the Scenes Work
I've been playing with the idea of starting a fitness blog for some time now. I'm no personal trainer or fitness guru or even a fit person... but I'm trying. One thing I am, however, is certain that every single day, I'm a better person than I was the day before, and that's all that matters.
For example:
This is me in May 2008 after I graduated college...
...and this was me in May 2010 on my 25th birthday.
I wish I had a picture of what I looked like in July 2011 when I started my weight loss journey, but thankfully, I had finally realized what I actually looked like instead of what I thought I looked like. At that point, I tried to have my picture taken as little as possible.
My life was changing during these years I pictured, but it was going in the absolute wrong direction. I won't bore you with wish-washy life details like where I was living, job changes, boyfriends, and other meaningless life events that will sound like excuses as to why I was fat (you'll figure all that stuff out as you continue to read my posts). It doesn't matter why I gained the weight because now, all that matters is why and how I'm dropping it.
Unless you've ever been a heavy person in a world littered with small people, I don't know if you can ever reach the level of insane self-awareness that we, as large people, live with every single day. If an overweight person ever tells you they are "seriously, really happy with who they are," they're lying (whether they know it or not). That's an absolute fact. We worry if we'll fit on amusement park rides or in a restaurant booth. We struggle with finding fashionable clothes that fit well. We are self-conscious when we eat in front of people because we are afraid they will judge us. We worry that we'll be single forever because we'll never find someone to love us as we are (because we can't even love ourselves as we are).
I have never been open about being overweight; I didn't think I needed to be. After all, it was obvious, wasn't it? I mean, I was walking billboard for every single plus size clothing line out there. It's not as though I could really hide the amount of space I took up in the world. So why should I hide it from myself?
This is me now...
Another obvious fact is that I'm still not thin, but I am 44 pounds lighter than I was in July 2011. I won't ever reveal my weight because frankly, it's none of your business (you know it's never polite to ask a girl how much she weighs!). More importantly, my starting weight isn't important because I'll never be there again. It's all about positive evolution.
If you continue to follow this blog (which I hope you will), hopefully you'll learn a little more about who I am, who I want to be, and who I will never be again. I'll share recipes, workouts, failures, successes, and whatever else sparks my interest during this incredible journey of mind, body, and soul. I've always said that I hope I never die without inspiring one person to do better for themselves and someone else... this is step one.
For example:
This is me in May 2008 after I graduated college...
...and this was me in May 2010 on my 25th birthday.
I wish I had a picture of what I looked like in July 2011 when I started my weight loss journey, but thankfully, I had finally realized what I actually looked like instead of what I thought I looked like. At that point, I tried to have my picture taken as little as possible.
My life was changing during these years I pictured, but it was going in the absolute wrong direction. I won't bore you with wish-washy life details like where I was living, job changes, boyfriends, and other meaningless life events that will sound like excuses as to why I was fat (you'll figure all that stuff out as you continue to read my posts). It doesn't matter why I gained the weight because now, all that matters is why and how I'm dropping it.
Unless you've ever been a heavy person in a world littered with small people, I don't know if you can ever reach the level of insane self-awareness that we, as large people, live with every single day. If an overweight person ever tells you they are "seriously, really happy with who they are," they're lying (whether they know it or not). That's an absolute fact. We worry if we'll fit on amusement park rides or in a restaurant booth. We struggle with finding fashionable clothes that fit well. We are self-conscious when we eat in front of people because we are afraid they will judge us. We worry that we'll be single forever because we'll never find someone to love us as we are (because we can't even love ourselves as we are).
I have never been open about being overweight; I didn't think I needed to be. After all, it was obvious, wasn't it? I mean, I was walking billboard for every single plus size clothing line out there. It's not as though I could really hide the amount of space I took up in the world. So why should I hide it from myself?
This is me now...
Another obvious fact is that I'm still not thin, but I am 44 pounds lighter than I was in July 2011. I won't ever reveal my weight because frankly, it's none of your business (you know it's never polite to ask a girl how much she weighs!). More importantly, my starting weight isn't important because I'll never be there again. It's all about positive evolution.
If you continue to follow this blog (which I hope you will), hopefully you'll learn a little more about who I am, who I want to be, and who I will never be again. I'll share recipes, workouts, failures, successes, and whatever else sparks my interest during this incredible journey of mind, body, and soul. I've always said that I hope I never die without inspiring one person to do better for themselves and someone else... this is step one.
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